Amelioration of hexachlorocyclohexane-induced oxidative stress by amaranth leaves in rats.

The effect of prefeeding dehydrated amaranth leaves (AL), at 10 and 20% levels on hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-induced free radical stress in rat liver was evaluated. The HCH-induced raise in malonadialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes and hydroperoxides was diminished by AL. The effect of AL was highly effective with respect to reduction in these cytotoxic products, especially at 20% level. AL intake resulted in a significant increase in hepatic vitamin A and glutathione (GSH). However, the AL consumption reduced hepatic tocopherols. Feeding of AL at 10% level increased the hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) activity while that at 20% level increased the hepatic glutathione reductase (GSSGR) as well, in addition to G-6-PDH. Amaranth leaves at 10 and 20% levels of feeding reduced the hepatic superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. The pre-feeding of AL resulted in the reversal of HCH-induced alteration in GSH-Px and G-6-PDH activities. The significant reduction in the level of glutathione S-transferase brought about by HCH was restored to control level by feeding 20% AL. It is concluded that the consumption of AL at 20% level produces reduction in the HCH-induced impairment of antioxidant status in rat liver.